Kitchen Remodel...

Most of you know that I work out of my home, I am considered a cottage foods industry.  Thanks to all of you, I have outgrown my single oven you see over by the number 1.  I can't keep up with the demand, but still want to keep this little bakery running out of my home.  Flexibility and the feeling that I'm doing something meaningful and purposeful are very important to me.  Opening a store-front bakery and making Firecracker much bigger has crossed my mind many times, but it's just not a priority at this time.  My husband and I have decided that making some changes to the kitchen will help with efficiency and allow me to continue doing what I love...inside my home, on my own time.  I feel super lucky to have this opportunity!

I've labeled the kitchen in the order of priority and need.  I'll explain each number below:

1. Oven...I really needed a double oven after the first year in this business, but we believe firmly in taking our time with big decisions and I wanted to make sure this business was something I wasn't going to get tired of.  Going from one oven to two isn't an easy or cheap decision.  It is a snowball effect of a lot of renovation, so it took some time and a lot of thought.

Are you questioning turning a hobby into a money-generating business?  If you aren't sure, just get started, "Clarity comes from engagement, not thought."  Four years ago, that was my business approach.  I couldn't stop thinking about having an in-home bakery.  I had a lot of supplies already, so I just got started.  Starting a blog, finding coffee shops, getting a designer for my logo, building a customer base, setting prices...endless hours of work, consistency and a passionate approach.  If you're willing to work hard and willing to serve a need greater than your own, your business will thrive.    

2. The cabinets...although they don't have all the nice features of the newer cabinets, we didn't feel replacing them was totally necessary. Unfortunately, once we got into all the planning we realized that the cabinets would have to go. We needed to have the oven built in and it just wasn't going to be practical to try to make these work. I got over it pretty quick once I saw all the features new kraftmaid cabinets had!

3. I love my enormous fridge, but since the snowball is roll'in we might as well move the fridge to the corner and get it out of the way.  I seriously almost got stuck in that corner a few times trying to make coffee or use the microwave.  So #3 is moving to #1 spot.

4.  This island *must* love me.  I have a confession to make...I've pretty much done everything wrong to this granite and it refuses to have any imperfections.  It has been my rock (literally!), I'm keeping this baby.  It has been moved to the basement for a platter wrapping station.  The only problem with this island is the size.  My new island will be just a bit longer and will have more functional storage/garbage system in it.

5. The microwave...well, what can I say, I just prefer a microwave OFF the counter.  

6. Deep breath, the lighting situation, it's just not our style.  Once you get into redoing a kitchen, it is definitely a snowball effect.  I would love can lights and pendant lights over my island.

7. The tile back splash...sigh.  It just reminds me of Nascar Racing or a 1950's style kitchen.  I just really don't like it.  It did come in handy for this photo as a backdrop...

8. Floor is gorgeous granite tile, but it needs to go.  If it flowed with the rest of the house we would've kept it, but here's the situation on floors in our house:

When standing on my gorgeous granite tile in my kitchen I was able to see ALL of these wonderful floors.  I do respect the previous owners, and feel everyone is entitled to their own style, BUT I will never figure out why they had so many different floors in one house.

9. Last but not least, new counter tops!!  I can barely sleep at night, I'm so excited!!!